Andrew Harrison

TWO runners to have come out of the Cape Guineas and taken on older horses since arriving in KZN have come up short. Russian Rock and Rascallion have both run below expectations and although there may be excuses for both, their efforts could also be warning signs.

Cape sophomore form comes under the spotlight again at Hollywoodbets Greyville today where Lions Head and Look For Hounds face off against older runners in the Online Form Handicap, seventh race on the eight-race programme.

Rascallion ran no sort of race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Sunday and Vaughan Marshall will be looking for a better effort from Look For Hounds. Recently gelded, Look For Hounds finished with only one behind him in the Guineas but had the worst of the draw and was only seven lengths adrift of the winner, Russian Rock.

He steps up on the poly for the second time from the widest draw but took to the poly when finishing second on the Fairview surface at his previous start.

Outside of his Guineas effort his form was solid enough to suggest that he should be competitive but he has not been out since mid-December last year.

Lions Head has yet to run a bad race and also comes off a break. He did not contest the Guineas and in three starts beyond 1400m he came up short. This was probably behind his gelding and he has not been out since December.

However, he followed up his second on the Greyville poly with a facile maiden win on the turf next time out. That day he gave the impression that he was a colt with a bright future and he may still live up to that.

 The year older Maitland Magic goes best over course and distance and can do better than his last effort on the turf, his first run back from a break. His poly form is excellent and he could prove the best of the older brigade that includes Via Salaria and Quattro Passi.

Let’s Not Linger looks a fairly safe banker in the first leg of the PA as she has some useful sprint form from tough draws. Although up in trip she has a better marble and the extra should not be a factor. Indomavel, who enjoyed the step up in trip last run and looks to be coming to hand, and Diamonds And Toads look the principal dangers.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 could prove tricky but Mystic Master has not missed a beat since being sent over a bit of ground and looks the part. Decorated has the worst of the draw but came in for long-shot betting support last run and failed narrowly. He looks the biggest threat to the selection. Seattle Beat and Koura look pick of the balance.

In the fourth, Quickstep Lady and Perfect Princess look the pick. Quickstep Lady has some useful Cape form and was close-up to a good sort in her local debut. Vaughan Marshall has two top contenders in Perfect Princess and Go Lightly but both have drawn wide and make their poly debuts.

In the fifth, Maussane takes a five-point drop in the ratings and although she still has a big weight she does have the best draw. Anmer Hall has been racing over further but she drops in trip with first time blinkers and on her best showing can feature. Heartseas is a juvenile taking on older fillies but did well over the trip last run and has a handy weight. Aalsmeer has a wide draw but has been knocking at the door and needs to be included in all exotics.

The sixth is a difficult race and it may pay to go wide in exotics. Ice Imperial looks a cut above this field and although top weight could prove good enough. Hereinafter met stronger last run but Marcus has stuck with the ride and she can feature prominently in this weaker company. Maria Carolina has shown signs of coming to hand and can feature from a good draw. Hot Money is never far back and should have a strong chance of finishing in the money again.

Plenty in with chances in the last. Window To Africa returns from a lengthy break but has put in two smart efforts on the poly against stronger and can feature prominently again. Beat It found her best form last run and gets another chance as she was due for stud after that last run. Arctic Princess has the worst of the draw but goes well this course and distance. Ignore her last run when dropping her rider at her last start. Suzi Woo was desperately unlucky last run when battling for a gap. Don’t leave her out of anything.

RACE 1: Preview: CHOLLIMA (9) showed up well in a competitive Kenilworth feature last run after a a narrow defeat before that. Unless there is a springer in the market, he looks the right one. CALLMEMRGREENLIGHT (3) was disappointing in Cape Town but can do better back on home turf. FASSI (2) raced green in a fair debut and is sure to come on from that. Of the first timers, HASTA MANANA (8) has a smart pedigree and with Marcus up is one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 9-3-2-8).

RACE 2: Preview: LET’S NOT LINGER (6) has some useful sprint form from tough draws. Although up in trip she has a better marble and the extra should not be a factor. INDOMAVEL (1) enjoyed the step up in trip last run and looks to be coming to hand. DIAMONDS AND TOADS (7) has shown improved form back in blinkers and will be a big contender. VENTRILOQUIST (10) showed improved form back in blinkers over a sprint. Can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-7-10).

RACE 3: Preview: MYSTIC MASTER (8) has not missed a beat since being sent over a bit of ground. He looks the past here. DECORATED (10) came in for long-shot betting support last run and failed narrowly. He looks the biggest threat to the favourite. SEATTLE BEAT (4) and KOURA (9) look pick of the balance. (Andrew Harrison: 8-10-4-9).

RACE 4: Preview:  Tricky. QUICKSTP LADY (3) has some useful Cape form and was close-up to a good sort in her local debut. Vaughan Marshall has two top contenders in PERFECT PRINCESS (10) and GO LIGHTLY (11) but both have drawn wide and make their poly debuts. INTUITIVE (6) was not too far back to the smart filly She’s A Keeper last start. She steps up to a mile here but has the pedigree to match. (Andrew Harrison: 3-10-6-11).

RACE 5: Preview: MAUSSANE (1) takes a big drop in the ratings and although she still has a big weight she des have the best draw. ANMER HALL (2) has been racing over further but she drops in trip with first time blinkers and on her best showing can feature. HEARTSEAS (6) is a juvenile taking on older fillies but did well over the trip last run and has a handy weight. One to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-6-8).

RACE 6: Preview: ICE IMPERIAL (6) looks a cut above this field and although top weight should prove good enough. HEREINAFTER (1) met stronger last run but Marcus has stuck with the ride and she can feature prominently in this weaker company. MARIA COROLINA (3) has shown signs of coming to hand and can feature from a good draw. HOT MONEY (7) is never far back and should have a strong chance of finishing in the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-3-7).

RACE 7: Preview: LOOK FOR HOUNDS (9) was never in the hunt in the Cape Guineas from the widest draw. He has a high MR and another poor draw but should go well in this company. MAITLAND MAGIC (6) goes best over course and distance and can do better than his last effort on the turf. LIONS HEAD (7) has yet to run a bad race. He has been rested but is over a suitable trip. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-7-2).

RACE 8: Preview: Open handicap. WINDOW TO AFRICA (4) has put in two smart efforts on the poly against stronger and should feature prominently again. BEAT IT (3) found her best form last run and can go in again. ARCTIC PRINCESS (12) has the worst of the draw but goes well this course and distance. Ignore her last run when dropping her rider at her last start. SUZI WOO (10) was desperately unlucky last run when battling for a gap. Don’t leave out of anything. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-12-10).

Andrew Harrison

FIRST entries for this year’s Vodacom Durban July, initially due in on April 13 are due today.

The entry date was moved to accommodate the National Yearling Sales and Gold Circle made a late decision to reschedule first entries to today, April 20, with names being announced on Tellytrack after the first race at Hollywoodbets Greyville tomorrow.

The July is the catalyst for interest in South Africa’s Champions Season and with a number of outstanding performers this season the 125^th running of South Africa’s most famous race is set to be a cracker.

With nearly four months still to go before the big race, successes and failures of horses with potential July credentials will be followed closely and debated country-wide.

Only 18 runners will be carded and a competition for a place in the field will be fierce.

Justin Snaith has campaigned last year’s winner Belgarion sparingly. Snaith did a brilliant job in plotting Belgarion into last year’s race on favourable weight terms and the gelding has only had three outings since his big success.

He beat Rainbow Bridge with a telling finish in the Green Point Stakes and finished third behind Jet Dark and Rainbow Bridge in the Queen’s Plate and second to Rainbow Bridge in the Cape Met.

The July will no doubt be on the gelding’s radar again but he will face a stiffer task this year as he has jumped in the merit ratings and will carry close to the top weight.

Eric Sands will be hoping for better luck with both Rainbow Bridge, likely top weight, and Golden Ducat, both certain entries, assuming they are fit and well. Rainbow Bridge has hardly put a foot wrong in his career and victory would finally realise the dream of prolific owner Mike Rattray.

Joey Soma has taken the slow route with last year’s runner-up Got The Greenlight and his preparation has gone well so far with the colt winning the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes in only his second start this term after warming up in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes when touched off by MK’s Pride.

Johan Janse van Vuuren appears to have a possible contender in the progressive Argentinian-bred gelding Puerto Manzano. He has yet to be tested beyond a mile but finished off his recent race in fine style for back-to-back wins and could possibly go the 2200m of the July. Time will tell.

The name of last season’s Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara winner and Equus Horse of the Year, Summer Pudding, is sure to be among the first entries. The only blip on her CV to date was a below par run in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes where she was reported coughing post-race. She confirmed her well-being when winning the Gr1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes at Turffontein last Saturday.

She has also won at Greyville, winning the Gr1 Woolavington 2000, which cemented her place in the minds of most Equus voters.

This year’s crop of three-year-olds is being hailed as vintage after Jet Dark’s win the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate but the true test will be when the new blood is properly tested by the proven older campaigners.

Cape Guineas second-placed Linebacker went one better in the Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby and Guineas fourth-placed Jet Dark went on to upstage Rainbow Bridge in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

The one question mark is the weak showing of the winner, Russian Rock in the Derby and subsequently in a Graduation Plate at Greyville and Derby runner-up Rascallion’s disappointing effort in the WSB Sledgehammer at Scottsville on Sunday.

Recent Triple Crown winner Malmoos disappointed in the Cape Guineas but prior to that had comfortably beaten Linebacker in the Concorde Cup over the Kenilworth mile.

Mike de Kock has indicated that Malmoos may miss the July after a hard season but one hopes that another July trophy in the cabinet will prove too much of a temptation.

The Daily News 2000, the most important July warm-up for three-year-olds, should provide a telling pointer.

The big unknown is the unbeaten Kommetdieding. He was a short-priced favourite for the Cape Derby before injury scuppered his race but he was hardly tested in the Gr3 Politician Stakes where third-placed Rascallion, second to Linebacker in the Cape Derby, was three lengths adrift.

The Daily News 2000 will more than likely be on his radar.

Other sophomore male’s that have claims are Catch Twentytwo, The Gate Keeper and Copper Mountain who pushed Got The Greenlight to the limit in the Horse Chestnut.

Recent facile Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara winner War Of Athena is head and shoulders above her female rivals on the Highveld and Paul Matchett must surely have July intentions. The Gr1 Woolavington 2000 would be an ideal prep race.

Justin Snaith has another cracker in Captain’s Ransom, beaten only once and a facile winner of the Gr1 Majorca Stakes beating Clouds Unfold. She has not raced beyond a mile at this stage of her career and the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes may be her main Champions Season target but her name may still appear on the list of first entries.

Running Brave, second to Summer Pudding in the Gauteng Summer Cup last season and last Saturday’s Empress Club Stakes, is sure to be among the first entries while confirmed stayers African Adventure and former Cape Derby winner Atyaab are also possible.

Two jockeys who may be forced into a choice of rides come Monday, 21 June, the date of final acceptances, are Muzi Yeni and Luke Ferraris. Yeni could be caught between Got The Greenlight and War Of Athena while Ferraris could be faced with a choice between Rainbow Bridge and Malmoos.

IN yet another significant show of support for the South African horse racing industry – and KwaZulu-Natal racing in particular, Hollywoodbets has committed to a 3-year sponsorship of the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge that will see the stake for this prestigious race increase from R500 000 to R1 000 000. The Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge will now be the second richest race on the South African racing calendar, being surpassed only by the Vodacom Durban July.

Over the past two years, Hollywoodbets has introduced initiatives to support each and every group of stakeholders in KZN and the timing for this new initiative is both exciting and gratifying. “If one looks back to July 2019 when Hollywoodbets secured the landmark naming rights to Hollywoodbets Greyville and Hollywoodbets Scottsville, who could have predicted that we were about to embark on one of the most economically challenging periods that South African Horseracing has ever had to endure? Hollywoodbets increased its support of the industry during a time when it has been needed most and to now have our partner as a long-term title sponsor of one of our most prestigious Grade 1 races during Champions Season, is the perfect fit,” said Steve Marshall, Gold Circle’s Marketing and Events Executive.

Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Executive, Devin Heffer explains that this sponsorship is about much more than just the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. “This is about being associated with equine excellence and ensuring that the value and prestige of our champions is not diluted by economic stress. Hollywoodbets views itself as an integral part of the horse racing industry and the KwaZulu-Natal economy. The Champions Season is the magnet that attracts nationwide interest in the sport, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to meaningfully demonstrate our commitment to racing’s wellbeing. We will also use the day to enthusiastically build a bridge between horse racing and our other valued partners in sport and in the media.”   

The 2021 edition of the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge is likely to see two past champions in Rainbow Bridge and Do It Again renewing their rivalry along with L’Ormarins Queens Plate winner, Jet Dark. However, with R1 000 000 up for grabs, there will definitely be a host of challengers to the throne, as this year’s race, scheduled for Saturday 12 June at Hollywoodbets Greyville, promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated races of Champions Season.

RACE 1: Preview: FLASHY APACHE (3) caught the eye second time out over 1400m on the Standside course staying on strongly for third and he can build on that from a fair draw. TINDER DRY (10) stayed on well for second over course and distance from a similarly wide draw in her penultimate start, beating Flashy Apache by 2,85 lengths, but the latter was making his debut that day and made good ground late after being caught wide at the back from a wide draw. ARAGOSTA (1) is by Rafeef out of an Irish-bred Galileo maiden who had two starts and finished second over a mile and two furlongs at Redcar on debut. WOKONDA (11) is not a scopey sort but stayed on well enough for third over 1160m on debut in a field as uninspiring as this one so she has a chance from a good draw over a step up in trip which should suit on pedigree being by Captain Of All out of a Fort Wood mare whose only win was over 1600m. IRON WILL (7) is by Flower Alley out of an Australian-bred Giant’s Causeway mare, who was a Listed winning six-time winner from 1400m to 1800m, and he is a full-brother to the one time winner over 1600m Integrity. (David Thiselton 3-10-1-11-7)

RACE 2: Preview: CORAL DAWN (2) by Global View is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Coral Tree and will enjoy the step up in trip after staying on nicely from a tough low draw over 1160m, beating Route Sixty Six by seven lengths, and Muzi Yeni stays aboard. LOOK YOURSELF (7) enjoyed the step up to this trip last time finishing second although she does now have a tougher draw. ROUTE SIXTY-SIX (9) ran second to Essence at Greyville last time over 1400m and as the latter had fair Johannesburg’s form before that she has a shout from a fair draw. (David Thiselton 2-7-9)

RACE 3: Preview: MISS ELEGANCE (1) is the best weighted and will enjoy this trip from a fair draw. QUERARI FERRARI (3) went close from the same draw over this course and distance in a decent Graduation Plate and is 0.5kg better off with Ecstatic Green despite beating her by 4.5 lengths. ECSTATIC GREEN (2) is better drawn than last time which could help her stay a tip which seems to stretch her. (David Thiselton 1-3-2)

RACE 4: Preview: REUNION (5) has disappointed twice but looks the part and a step down in trip might be what this highly regarded horse is looking for. BOLD JAZZ (1) has class and is effective from this trip up to middle distances. BARTHOLDI (3) is better than his last start over this course and distance and has a good draw this time. INDLAMU (2) beat Bold Jazz by 1,50 lengths when they last met over 1400m but is 2.5kg worse off if apprentice claims are ignored and is widely drawn in his first run for four months. BOWIE (4) beat Bartholdi by more than five lengths last time but is 2kg worse off and there is a reversal in draw fortunes. (David Thiselton 5-1-3-2-4)

RACE 5: Preview: STARFLASH (1) is in fine form and is well drawn over a suitable trip. GOVERNOR’S GLORY (6) is a quirky but talented horse and is well drawn over a suitable trip but he is 1.5kg worse off with Starflash for a 1,25 length beating. IVALO’S PRINCE (3) will be running on over this suitable trip. EL ROMIACHI (9) is capable of staying on well over this trip. DOUBLE MARTINI (5) is distance suited and can still improve. (David Thiselton 1-6-3-9-5)

RACE 6: Preview: CASH TIME (2) is in fine form and will be effective over this trip from a good draw. VALIDUS (7) was not suited to front-running last time and if dropped out from a wide draw over this trip he is capable of running on. FSQUADRON (5) is drawn in pole and is only three point higher for his win over this trip in his penultimate start. OUR COYS (1) comes off a good run over this trip but has a tricky draw. MASTER MAN (6) is off a competitive merit rating and is effective over this trip. (David Thiselton 2-7-5-1-6)

RACE 7: Preview: BOLD RESOLVE (4) is ideally distance suited and well drawn. THE SASH (3) enjoys this trip when well drawn and he has a fair draw. LIVERPOOL LEGEND (8) seldom gets a good draw and has one here so could go close despite being up against the boys. ROMEO’S MAGIC (1) keeps on defying the handicapper and is capable of running after being dropped out from a wide draw. HUMBLE TUNE (10) has ability and can improve. ATTENTIVE (5) could be involved in the finish too. (David Thiselton 4-3-8-1-10-5)

RACE 8: Preview: WHITE FANG (5) has been most disappointing but from a good draw under handicap conditions he can bounce back over this suitable trip. MASAAKEN (3) has a tricky draw but is capable of running on over this trip. SERGEI (1) is no great shakes and has to carry topweight but ran a well beaten second over this trip last time and can be involved again. (David Thiselton 5-3-1)